Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education (occasional papers): Widening participation in higher education: international perspectives

The four papers included in this publication offer important insights into the complex and challenging issues that frame equity in higher education policy debates across and between different national contexts. Each of the papers gives us a view of some of the historical and contemporary achievements and challenges that shape the field of equity in Australia, England, China and the United States of America. Earlier versions of these papers were presented at a conference of the International Alliance of Leading Education Institutes at Beijing Normal University and we are delighted that the Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University is co-publishing these papers with us. CONTENTS: Preface by Penny Jane Burke - Equity in Australian higher education: The effects of national policy to expand access for people from lower socio-economic status backgrounds by Richard James and Carol Johnston - The growth of participation in higher education in England by Geoff Whitty, Annette Hayton and Sarah Tang - The historical development, current status, and future outlook of the Chinese National College Entrance Examination System by Binglin Zhong - Who goes to college? Investigating the 'American Dream' by Gloria Ladson-Billings.